Can you believe this?

Question

With all the accusations that fly in this forum --mainly stating that people do good works simply to gain a Heavenly reward-- not one person who answered my last question about random acts of kindness stated that as a reason. Check out the answers, if you'd like.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjZuqMuMLAFWaJ8jKKZh8wLsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071128113522AAQSyLY

Most people stated their reasons as a genuine desire to help, or as a means of feeling good about themselves. Quite admirable, I might add.

I'm not going anywhere with this, I just wanted to point it out. To make it legal, does this give anyone else a sense of hope for humanity?

Hugs to all.

Soulful Kris...true. But I also tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I have no reason to question the sincerity of anyone who answered.

Old Guy...I wish.

Pangel...by being selfish, they are also being "selfless."

Pangel..a true conundrum. :)

STRAIGHTUP... you made an excellent point.

Answer 1

you ask such interesting, and challenging questions, I am sorry that I miss most of them.
I believe that people are basically good no matter what their belief system is.
while many of us believe the phrase, "what goes around, comes around" I don't feel that this is the reason that we do good things for others, I also don't thing that, it will help us to get in to heaven, is a part of the thought process.
most people don't think of why they are doing a RAoK, They just see the need and do it.
I don't even think that the feel good feeling comes into it, until after the act, and then they have the feel good, feeling.

Answer 2

I missed the original question, but I'll answer here. Why do we perform acts of kindness? Probably for as many different reasons are there are people. I remember this scenario from a psychology class in college:

A mother runs back into a burning house to save her child. Did the mother do it because she wanted the child to live, or did she do it because she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't?

Interesting, isn't it? Was the incentive the child's welfare, or the mother's own sense of self?

Personally, I think that acts of kindness are good, regardless of the motivation. It beats the alternative by a long shot.

.

Answer 3

Leviticus 19:18

Answer 4

It has been demonstrated time and again that the theistic representation here is not statistically accurate, as they do not represent 90% of the community, as they do in the general population. Y!A attracts a subset of both theists and atheists, with a particularly unique personality profile. This is more-so among the regulars.

I wouldn't draw any conclusions about atheists or theists generally from what goes on here.

Answer 5

Well, I fell that its good that people do good works regardless of the reason. If someone wants to treat me well based on their heavenly reward then that is fine with me just as much as if someone wants to do a good work to because it makes them feel good about themselves! Im fine with that too! A good work is a good work; who cares about the why behind it!?

Answer 6

a few people said that doing it to feel good is a selfish reason...
and I agree
but if we were all a little more selfish in this way ... the world would be amazing !!

call me selfish ... but I love to feel good by helping others

edit
selfishly selfless ???

Answer 7

It does give me hope... I love hearing about people who perform random acts of kindness

Answer 8

As long as people do what they say instead of just saying what they intend to do. I live the way I speak. If I'm not being honest with myself how can I be honest with anyone else.

Answer 9

Interesting observation.....

Yes it helps a bit but, consider the audience. My sense is that "we" are out numbered outside of this site.


If that is a true photograph of you......Wow

Answer 10

Hugs to you, too, dear.

But I believe that deep down they do it to get into Heaven and they say they do it out of the kindness of their own heart.

At least...that's what I do.